Twelfth meeting of the Consultative Group of Experts 

Summary of outcome 

The twelfth meeting of the Consultative Group of Experts (CGE) took place in Bonn, Germany on 17 and 18 September 2024. Eighteen (18) CGE members attended the meeting, fifteen (15) in-person and three (3) virtually. Following the meeting, a one-day training on ETF reporting tools was conducted on 19 September for the CGE members.

The main objective of the meeting was to review the progress of implementation of its 2024 workplan and consider its progress report to the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI).

Key summary of the outcomes of the meeting includes the following: 

• The CGE considered the 2024 progress report to the SBI, including an updated technical report on problems, constraints, lessons learned on capacity-building needs of developing country Parties and the report on regional hands-on training workshops.
• The group reflected on, with a view to drawing lessons learned, some of the key activities implemented over the year, including its regional workshops and webinars, capacity-building needs assessment, training programme for the technical analysis of biennial update reports , the CGE toolbox on institutional arrangements, CGE communication and outreach activities and feedback survey on the CGE technical materials.
• As per its 2024 workplan, the CGE agreed to organize a side-event at COP29 and its informal forum in 2025 back-to-back with the 13^th CGE meeting, to showcase its work, seek feedback from the stakeholders on how its work be further reinforced to address the main challenges, constraints and needs of developing country Parties, and to hear directly from the audience on any new and emerging areas that require technical assistance and support. The informal forum will also aim to exchange views on the support opportunities available on the ground via other support providers with a view to exploring how these efforts could complement each other.
• The CGE expressed interest to continue its collaboration with the PAICC and other constituted bodies, and underlined the importance of coordinating and collaborating with other support providers in implementing its work.
• The CGE underlined the importance of receiving financial contributions from donors to support full implementation of its annual workplans.
• Finally, the CGE tentatively agreed to organize its 13^th meeting in February or March 2025.